Big Setback for Coal India Workers as Court Puts Bonus on Hold
For now, the bonus payout for over 2.20 lakh coal employees remains uncertain, pending further court directives
A major blow has hit coal workers after the court ordered a stay on their annual bonus until further notice, creating uncertainty for nearly 2.20 lakh employees. The much-anticipated meeting of the Standardization Committee in Delhi, which was scheduled to decide on the bonus, has now been stalled. Representatives from multiple unions were expected to attend this meeting.
The order directly impacts workers of subsidiaries such as NCL, BCCL, CCL, ECL, WCL, MCL, SECL and CMPDI, including 42,000 employees in Dhanbad alone, who were hoping to benefit from the decision.
Court Decision
According to sources, the Calcutta High Court’s Division Bench has upheld the earlier order of a Single Bench directing the inclusion of the National Federation of Mine Workers (INTUC-affiliated) in the Standardization Committee meeting. Coal India had challenged this directive before the Division Bench, but the court refused to overturn it. Consequently, the Delhi meeting scheduled for Monday was ordered to be postponed.
Vinay Ranjan, Director (HR), Coal India Limited, who was in New Delhi today for talks with Trade Union leaders told www.indianpsu.com that the meeting could not take place due to the court order.
Sources within Coal India told www.indianpsu.com that there is no question of non-payment. The bonus may be delayed for a few days, but its payment is certain. If the court orders Coal India to include INTUC in the meeting, the committee could convene the day after the order is issued. Employees are advised not to panic, as this delay is expected to be brief.
What Lies Ahead
The uncertainty now shifts to the Coal Ministry and Coal India—whether they will provide some interim relief by making an advance or ex-gratia payment ahead of the festive season or wait until the court delivers its final ruling.
The Standardization Committee meeting was initially planned to include representatives from HMS, BMS, AITUC, and CITU. With the court’s order, this process remains in limbo.
Impact on Workers
As per estimates, the decision effects workers across major subsidiaries:
- BCCL: 31,584 workers
- CCL: 32,887 workers
- ECL: 46,146 workers
- CMPDI: 2,696 workers
- Dhanbad region: 42,000 workers in total
For now, the bonus payout for over 2.20 lakh coal employees remains uncertain, pending further court directives.
